“It’s amazing,” said the incomparable Cuban pianist and composer, Chucho Valdes. “Latin Jazz was born in New York with Mario Bauza, Chano Pozo, Dizzy Gillespie and others. It was called Afro-Cuban because they added Afro-Cuban drums into Dizzy’s band. It was a fusion of many elements.”
That dynamic and remarkable fusion will be reignited this week when the Harlem/Havana Music & Cultural Festival debuts the first joint arts initiative between the two cities. Whether from a cultural or political perspective, there has been a long and continuous relation between Harlem and Havana, and no date is more memorable than that September day in 1960 when Fidel Castro checked into the Hotel Theresa.
“El Presidente” is sure to be invoked Aug. 15, two days after his 90th birthday, as the festival and its cultural exchange gets under way. Two years in the making, the festival is a cornucopia of music, dance, visual and performing arts, fashion and culinary exchange between the two iconic cities.
This dream event is largely the vision and tireless work of Congressman Charles Rangel. For more than 20 years, Rangel has pushed for the normalization of relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Since 1993, he has put forth bill after bill for the Free Trade with Cuba Act to allow all Americans to visit the island, enable Americans and Cubans to conduct business together and lift restrictions on humanitarian assistance.
“I am elated that in my final year in Congress, I can finally see that the goal to remove the barriers between the U.S and Cuba is going to be achieved,” Rangel said. “It’s been a long road, but I and key members of the Congressional Black Caucus were dedicated to officially opening the doors to the Cuban people. The Harlem/Havana Music & Cultural Festival kickoff in New York is a wonderful start to this new relationship.”
Rangel’s sentiments and objectives were echoed by Congressman Gregory Meeks, who said, “As co-chairman of the House of Representatives Organization of American States Caucus, I am particularly pleased to serve in a lead role, with my esteemed colleague Hon. Charles B. Rangel, supporting the Harlem/Havana Music & Cultural Festival.” Meeks also noted that he will lead the New York delegation to Havana in February 2017 to complete the mutual exchange.
The first phase of the cultural exchange is from Aug. 15 to Aug. 21 and features the maestro, Cesar Lopez. The esteemed saxophonist will lead the Habana Ensemble, an aggregation of some of Cuba’s top musicians. Added to the musical excitement is acclaimed pianist Jorge Luis Pacheco, whose style and virtuosity is in the tradition of Chucho Valdes. He will lead his group, along with the presence of the JJ Folkloric Dance Company. Celebrated printmaker Edward Roca Salazar, a master of “collography,” will highlight the visual presentations. The “Art & Fashion Project, Arte Y Moda,” with Chef Raul Colon and his cuisine magic, will complement the activities.
“What you have, in effect, is a smorgasbord of education and entertainment,” said Lloyd Williams, president of the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce. “Harlem and Havana have been home to some of this world’s top artistic icons, who have brought memorable music and art to the world.”
During a ceremony at Gracie Mansion, Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray expressed their energetic support for the festival, and their words were reflective of those delivered by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He observed that the Harlem/Havana Music & Cultural Festival was “the state’s first cultural and educational initiative with Cuba.”
Cuoma added, “I have asked state agencies, including SUNY, I Love NY, Empire State Development Corporation and NY State Council on the Arts, to partner with this exciting initiative.”
Also joining the mayor and the first lady was Ana Silvia Rodriguez Abascal, the deputy permanent representative of Cuba to the United Nations, and she was enthusiastic in her gratitude in being the first Cuban ambassador invited to Gracie Mansion and then recounted the discrimination Fidel Castro experienced in 1960 when he and other Cubans tried to get a hotel room in downtown Manhattan. “I would like to thank Rep. Charlie Rangel because he made this festival a reality,” she concluded.
It’s not possible to list all the marvelous events during the festival, but these few should give you some indication of its range and enchantment:
Sunday, Aug. 14
The Cathedral Church St. John The Divine will salute Harlem/Havana, featuring JJ Folkloric Dance Company and “The Color Purple: The Musical.”
Time: 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 15
JetBlue will host a major event featuring American and Cuban musical and dance performances saluting Harlem/Havana Music & Cultural Festival.
Time: 9 a.m.-noon.
Tuesday, Aug.16 through Saturday, Aug. 27
The Mural Pavilion will feature a pop-up art exhibit, featuring artist Choco, Harlem photographers and original art.
Wednesday, Aug. 17
Cuban and American musicians will perform at the Apollo Theater Amateur Night salute to Harlem/Havana.
Wednesday, Aug. 17
Cuban and American musicians will perform at Jazzmobile, U.S. Grant National Memorial Concert Series.
Thursday, Aug. 18
Macy’s Herald Square will host a full day of culinary, musical and dance activities.
Time: Noon-8 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 18
NY State Office of General Services at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building will host a Harlem Summer Stage outdoor dance performance with Harlem and Cuban musicians.
Friday, Aug. 19
Cuban and American musicians will perform at National Jazz Museum in Harlem.
Friday, Aug. 19
Cuban and Harlem musicians will perform at Floridita Restaurant.
Saturday, Aug. 20
Dance Theatre of Harlem will host a master dance class and reception combining Cuban and Harlem dancers.
Saturday, Aug. 20
Cuban and American musicians and fashion designers will perform and present at Summer in the City.
Sunday, Aug. 21
Cuban and American musicians, dancers and fashion designers will perform and present on Harlem Day.
Sunday, Aug. 21
Cuban dancers, drummers and the First Corinthian Gospel Choir will perform at the First Corinthian Baptist Church.
Time: 11 a.m.
The Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce and Harlem Community Development Corporation, in concert with Marcus Samuelsson Group, have identified seven Harlem restaurants that will participate:
Upper West Side: Oso, Floridita
Upper East Side: Amor Cubano and Mountainbird
Central Harlem: Red Rooster, Sylvia’s and Street Bird
This festival promises to be a momentous occasion, one to be replicated each year, and as boxing ring announcer Michael Buffer might say, “Let’s get ready to rumba!”